WO2023209196A1

WO2023209196A1 - Connector

Info

Publication number: WO2023209196A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/061328
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonin Poupart; Alice HENRY-CHAGNOL; Pedro Andre DE SA RIBEIRO
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Placo
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2023-04-28
Publication date: 2023-11-02
Also published as: FR3135101A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector (43) configured to be inserted into the hollow part of a construction surface framework element (2) and to support the framework element, characterized in that the connector comprises a main plate (430) from which two extension plates (432) extend, the extension plates comprising an elastically deformable material, the connector additionally comprising means (435) for elastically deforming the connector, whereby an application of force causes the connector to adopt a first position, in which the extension plates are deformed in order to be closer to each other and so as to allow the connector to be inserted into the hollow part of a framework element, and a subsequent reduction of the force causes the connector to adopt a second position, in which the extension plates are farther away from each other than in the first position, so as to allow the connector to come into contact with the framework element in order to fix the connector to the framework element.

Description

Title of the invention: Connector

[0001] The present description generally relates to building surface products, for example, panels and connectors adapted to form a building surface.

[0002] BACKGROUND OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0003] Construction panels, for example plasterboard, are used to construct surfaces such as walls and ceilings within a building. Such building surfaces are formed by attaching building panels to a support structure. In this case, the support structure comprises a plurality of framing elements which are connected to each other and also to at least one of the permanent wall, floor or ceiling of the building. The panels are attached to the framing elements. Framing members may be rails, stiles, or other profiles that include a configured surface for attaching a construction panel. Framing members may be c-shaped. A "c-shaped" framing member is defined as formed to include a pair of flanges substantially parallel to each other and connected substantially perpendicularly at their base by a web, with the pair of flanges having returning edges directed toward each other. the interior substantially parallel to the veil. For ceilings, the framing elements are suspended from the permanent building ceiling by rods. Connectors are used to connect the rails to the rods. It may also be necessary to connect two framing members together in line, effectively extending the length of the framing members. These connectors comprise two parallel plates, each plate having a shape with slots and designed to be inserted into the hollow part of a c-shaped rail. These two plates are joined together by a junction plate, said junction plate being arranged to fix the rod.

[0004] The installation of the connector is carried out by inserting said connector into the hollow part of a rail. The insertion is made so that the parallel plates extend along the length of the rail. After that, the connector must be put rotating to be placed in its final position so that the parallel plates of the connector are blocked in the rail.

[0005] The disadvantage of this embodiment is that a significant force is required to position the connectors in the rails and current connectors have a very low tolerance for error. This is because once the connector has been positioned inside the rail, it is difficult to slide them along the rail to adjust their position. This can make installation difficult because in order to avoid stressing the suspension, the connector must be directly under the permanent ceiling position where the rod will connect.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention provides a method for solving the aforementioned drawbacks and provides a connector which is simpler to use.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a connector configured to be inserted into the hollow part of a framework element and to support said framework element, characterized in that the connector comprises a main plate from from which two extension plates extend, said extension plates comprising an elastically deformable material, the connector further comprises means for elastically deforming said connector whereby an application of force causes said connector to adopt a first position in which the extension plates are deformed to be closer together to allow the connector to be inserted into the hollow portion of the framing member and subsequent reduction in force causes the connector to adopt a second position in which the extension plates contact the framing member to secure the connector to the framing member.

[0009] The framing element may be a rail.

[0010] According to one example, the extension plates are symmetrical to each other.

[0011] According to one example, the extension plates comprise a single part.

[0012] According to one example, the extension plates comprise at least two parts extending in opposite directions, a first part extending from the main plate and a second part extending from the first part. [0013] According to one example, the single part or the second part is curved.

[0014] According to one example, the single part or the second part is a straight plate having an extension blade.

[0015] According to one example, each extension blade comprises a slot cooperating with the framework element.

According to one example, means for elastically deforming said connector comprise at least one ear extending from the extension plate.

[0017] According to one example, each extension plate includes an ear.

[0018] According to one example, said main plate is arranged to be fixed to a rod so that the connector is suspended

According to one example, said connector is a section, a profile.

[0020] According to one example, the length of the section is at least 0.5 cm.

[0021] The invention further relates to a platform comprising a common plate in which at least two connectors according to the invention are connected.

[0022] According to one example, the connectors of the platform are opposed two by two.

According to one example, the connectors have the same orientation.

[0024] The invention also relates to the use of the connector according to the invention to connect two framing elements.

[0025] The invention also relates to the use of the platform according to the invention to connect at least two framework elements.

[0026] The invention also relates to a bracing accessory for supporting, carrying a framework element comprising a rod fixed to a fixing head fixed to the framework element and fixed to the ceiling by means of a base, in which the fixing head is the connector according to the invention or the fixing head is the platform according to the invention. [0027] The invention also relates to a method for connecting the connector according to the invention or for connecting the platform according to the invention to a framework element, the method comprising the steps:

- supply of the connector or platform and at least one structural element

- applying a force to the connector, using the gripping means, so as to place the connector in an installed state, and thereby reduce friction between the connector and a framework element in order to allow the connector to be positioned inside a framing element; And

- removing the force on the connector so as to allow the connector to return to the released state, thereby increasing the friction between the connector and the framing element so as to fix it in position inside of the framing element.

[0028] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other particular characteristics and advantages will appear clearly on reading the following description, given for information purposes only and in a completely non-limiting manner, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0030] - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a building surface system according to the invention;

[0031] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a connector engaged with a framework element according to the invention;

[0032] - Figures 3 and 4 and 14 are schematic representations of a first example of connector according to the invention;

[0033] - Figures 5 and 6 are schematic representations of a particular part of a connector according to a first example;

[0034] - Figures 7 and 8 are schematic representations of a second example of connector according to the invention;

[0035] - Figure 9 is a schematic representation of the insertion of a connector according to the invention into a framework element; [0036] - Figures 10 and 11 are schematic representations of a bracing accessory according to the invention;

[0037] - Figures 12 and 13 are schematic representations of a connector using the connector as a profile according to the invention;

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Figure 1 shows a building surface system 1 according to the invention. This building surface system is used vertically to cover a wall or horizontally to form a ceiling.

This building surface system comprises at least one framework element 2 on which at least one panel 3 is fixed. The panel is fixed to this framing element 2 by means of a fixing device.

[0041] The panel 3 used is a plasterboard or a gypsum panel. The panel 3 includes a body comprising a front face, a rear face and a thickness between the front face and the rear face.

The framework element may have a C shape or other shapes such as an open circle or open oval. The C-frame member is a framing member including a main portion from which two arms extend in parallel. The end of each arm may include a flange at its free end. This framing element 2 can form part of a framing structure.

[0043] When the framework element 2 has the shape of an open circle or an open oval, the shape of the framework element can serve as flanges.

This framework structure comprises a plurality of framework elements 2. In this case, the framework elements 2 can extend parallel to each other. But it is possible to have a first set of frame elements 2 extending parallel to each other and a second set of frame elements 2 extending perpendicular to the first set of frame elements. framework so as to form a net.

The framework elements 2 are used to fix the panels 3, said panels being fixed to said framework element. Fixing can be done by using screws, nails, fastening systems or any other suitable fixing method.

[0046] The framework structure is fixed using a bracing accessory 4 to the ceiling or permanent wall or to a structure fixed to the ceiling or permanent wall, such as a wooden structure. The permanent ceiling or wall may be concrete. This bracing accessory 4 includes a base 41 fixed to the ceiling or permanent wall, a rod 42 and a fixing head. This fixing head is used to cooperate with the framework element 2 to hold it as seen in Figure 2. The rod 42 is fixed, by one of its ends, to the base and by the other ends, to the fixing head. The base 41 is attached by screws, bolts, anchors, adhesive or other suitable fasteners to the ceiling or permanent wall or to a structure attached to the ceiling or permanent wall.

[0047] According to the invention, a connector or fitting 43 is designed to be simpler than the connector of the state of the art.

A connector 43 according to the present invention is shown in Figure 3. This connector 43 comprising a main plate 430 in which the rod is fixed. In certain examples of the invention the rod 42 is screwed onto the main plate 430 through a hole 431 or through a tube having a thread. Said connector further comprises two extension plates 432 or wings. These expansion plates 432 are preferably symmetrical, but alternative examples of the invention may have non-symmetrical expansion plates 432. The shape of the expansion plates 432 is configured such that at least one point of each extension plate is in contact with the interior of the framing member. This allows Connector 43 to hold the framing element.

[0049] In a first example, each extension plate 432 comprises two parts. A first part 4320 extending from the main plate 430 and a second part 4321 extending from the first part. For example, see Figure 4, in which these parts are linear. The shape of the second part allows said part to be in contact with the framing element. The first one part and the second part extend in a different direction. The expansion plates are symmetrical.

[0050] The second part can be a curved part as seen in Figure 3 or a linear part comprising an extension blade 4322 extending towards the framework element as seen in Figure 4. This blade extension 4322 can be an attached element as seen in Figure 5 or can be formed by deformation of the extension blade as seen in Figure 6.

[0051] In a second example, each extension plate 432 comprises only a part, a single part, extending from the main plate as seen in Figure 7. The main plate 430 further comprises a hole 431 or a tube 433 having a thread into which the rod is inserted to be screwed. The main plate 430 is thus arranged to be suspended by said rod. The single part can be a curved part as seen in Figure 7 or a linear part comprising an extension blade 4322 extending towards the framing element as seen in Figure 8.

[0052] In the first and second examples, the extension blade 4322 is used to be in contact with the framework element 2, in particular with the flanges of the C-shaped framework element as seen in Figure 4. In these first and second examples, the curved extension blades 4322 may comprise a groove or slot 4323. This groove or slot 4323 is used to cooperate with the framework element 2 to block the connector 43 in said framing element. This slot can take different shapes depending on the configuration of the connector.

[0053] In a first embodiment, the slot is open as visible in Figure 4. This open slot is preferably used for a connector which is sized so that the main plate bears on the profile. In this case, the connector then finds itself inserted in the profile by the main plate and the slots 4323.

[0054] In a second embodiment, the slot has a C-shaped profile as visible in Figure 14. This C-shaped profile then includes a space allowing a portion of the profile to slide into it. As each extension blade includes a slot in C, the connector is fixed to the profile by these C slots. This second embodiment makes it not obligatory to have a connector sized to be supported on the profile by the main plate.

[0055] Advantageously, the connector 43 is arranged to allow elastic deformation to simplify use. To do this, the connector is made of a deformable material, this deformation being elastic. This means that an applied force will deform the connector and, when said force is reduced or removed, connector 43 will return to its initial state. The material used for the connector includes one or more materials from the list of: plastics, polymers, metals, metal alloys, carbon fibers, natural fibers such as plant fibers, or mixtures of one or more of these materials.

[0056] Furthermore, the connector 43 comprises gripping means 435 of the tongue or lug type 4350. These gripping means 435 are used to deform the connector. These tabs are an extension of the extension plates 432. These tabs are arranged at the level of the free ends of the extension plates 432. These tabs or ears extend from the free ends of the extension plates 432. the tabs of the two extension plates extend to diverge from each other.

[0057] With these tabs and the ability of the connector to deform elastically, it is possible, for the connector, to present at least two positions or states, as seen in Figure 9. In a first state called release state , the connector is not subjected to any force. In a second state called installation state, the connector is subjected to a force. In this state, the operator uses the tabs of the gripping means as pliers so that the two extension plates of the connector are deformed so as to be brought together. We then understand that the operator directly applies a force on the gripping means, the tabs 4350. In this case, the connector becomes narrower so that said device can be inserted into the framework element.

[0058] Thus, the steps for connecting the connector to the framework element are: - applying a force to the connector 43, using the gripping means, so as to place the connector in an installed state, and thereby reduce the friction between the connector and a framework element so as to to allow the connector 43 to be positioned inside a framework element 2; And

- removing the force on the connector so as to allow the connector to return to the released state, thereby increasing the friction between the connector and the framing member so as to secure it in position within of the framing element.

[0059] Consequently, it is easy for the user to connect the connector 43 with the framework element and to disconnect said connector from the framework element. This makes it more practical and easier to slide the connector into the framing element to find the right position.

[0060] Once the device is inserted into the framework element, the force applied to the connector 43 is removed so that the connector returns to its released state. In this case, the extension plates of the connector come into contact with the framing element so that said connector locks in said framing element.

[0061] In a first embodiment, the connector 43 is designed to be a profile as seen in Figures 12 and 13. In this first embodiment, the length of this connector as a section, profile is at least 0.5 cm.

[0062] In a second embodiment, the connectors 43 can be associated with each other to form a platform 5 as shown in Figures 10 and 11. In this second mode, the main plate 430 of several connectors are joined to a common plate 50.

[0063] In the case where the platform 5 comprises two connectors, these connectors can be arranged diametrically opposite each other. The platform connector may or may not have the same orientation. But it is also possible that the platform connectors are symmetrical.

[0064] In a case where the platform includes more than two connectors, these connectors are arranged in a cross. This cross can have three or four branches or more. In the case of four branches, the connectors can be opposed two by two.

[0065] This arrangement makes it possible to maintain the framework elements in a perpendicular position. With a four-legged platform, it is possible for the platform 50 to hold a first framing element by two connectors and two other framing elements perpendicular to the first framing element.

The connectors 43 of the platform 5 can have different orientations. In the case of four branches, the connector which are opposite each other have the same orientation.

[0067] In a first use of the connector, said connector is used to connect two framework elements together.

[0068] In a second use, the connector is used to support a framing element. In this case, the connector 43 according to the invention is the connector of the bracing accessory 4. In this case, the rod 42 is fixed to the main plate 430 of the connector 4 or fixed to the common plate 50 of the platform 5 .

[0069] In a building surface system, one or more connectors used to hold one or more framing elements and one or more connectors used to connect at least two framing elements together may be used.

[0070] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the example illustrated but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to the person skilled in the technique.

Claims

Claims Connector (43) configured to be inserted into the hollow portion of a building surface framing member (2) and to support said framing member, characterized in that the connector comprises a main plate (430) to from which two extension plates (432) extend, said extension plates comprising an elastically deformable material, the connector further comprising means (435) for elastically deforming said connector whereby application of force causes said connector adopting a first position in which the extension plates are deformed to be closer together so as to enable the connector to be inserted into the hollow part of a framing member and a subsequent reduction of the force causes the connector to adopt a second position in which the extension plates are further apart than in the first position so as to allow the connector to come into contact with the framing member to fixing the connector to the framing member, wherein means for elastically deforming said connector comprises lugs (4350) extending from the free end of each extension plate, the lugs of the extension plates diverging 'one from the other. Connector according to the preceding claim, in which the extension plates (432) are symmetrical to each other. A connector according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the extension plates (432) comprises a single part. A connector according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the extension plates (432) comprises at least two parts extending in opposite directions, a first part (4320) extending from the main plate and a second part (4321 ) extending from the first part. 5 Connector according to claims 3 or 4, in which the single part or the second part is curved.

6 Connector according to claims 3 or 4, in which the single part or the second part is a straight plate having an extension blade (4322).

7. Connector according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which each extension blade comprises a slot cooperating with the framing element.

8 Connector according to one of the preceding claims, in which each extension plate comprises an ear.

9 Connector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said main plate (430) is arranged to be fixed to a rod so that the connector is suspended.

10. Connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connector is a section.

11 Connector according to claim 8, in which the length of the section is at least 0.5 cm.

12 Platform comprising a common plate in which at least two connectors (43) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 are connected.

13 Platform according to claim 12, in which the connectors of the platform are opposed two by two.

14 Platform according to claims 12 or 13, in which the connectors have the same orientation.

15 Bracing accessory for supporting a framing element (2) comprising a rod (41) fixed to a fixing head fixed to the framing element and fixed to a permanent ceiling or wall by means of a base, in which the fixing head is the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or the fixing head is the platform according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

16 Method for connecting the connector according to one of claims 1 to 11 or for connecting the platform according to one of claims 12 to 14 to a framing element, the method comprising the steps:

- supply of the connector or platform and at least one structural element - application of a force to the connector directly by an operator, using gripping means, so as to place the connector in a installation condition, and thereby reducing friction between the connector and a framing member to allow the connector to be positioned within a framing member; and - removing the force on the connector so as to allow the connector to return to the released state, thereby increasing the friction between the connector and the framework element so as to fix it in position at the interior of the framing element.